Today, universities and research are the target of unprecedented attacks in the US, threatening one of the pillars of democracy: academic and scientific freedom. Under pressure from the new administration, brutal budget cuts are directly affecting society, particularly in the fields of public health and the environment.
Ideological censorship is spreading, removing essential scientific information on social inequalities, health and the protection of natural environments. Added to this are restrictions on the teaching of evolution and gender studies, coupled with attacks on the integrity of scientific agencies. Finally, layoffs of young scientists and bans on international collaborations are stepping up, worsening this alarming picture.
In the face of this anti-knowledge offensive, our American colleagues are mobilizing. It's primarily young scientists who are leading this movement, reminding us that science is a knowledge commons and that it's essential to a democratic, inclusive and enlightened society. Demonstrations are planned for March 7, to remind us that producing, sharing and making scientific knowledge accessible is crucial for society.
Defending freedom
As defenders of academic and scientific freedom, we formally call on all those involved in knowledge to mobilize in defense of these freedoms, which are essential values of our democracies. This obviously includes scientists and organizations that represent the academic community (academies, medical institutions, learned societies, unions, etc..), but also those involved in the transmission of knowledge: teachers, students, professors – from kindergarten to university – science mediators and journalists.
Together, we want to remind people of the importance of scientific facts, particularly for health, understanding social inequalities, climate challenges and biodiversity. What is happening today in the US could very well foreshadow what awaits us if we don't react in time.
You have 60.01% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.